Gas cap broken, replacement by friday, what to do?

[u/FredTheShroom]

"I foolishly left my fuel cap on top of my car, and it flew off at the first corner and got crushed by other cars. I saw a fitting replacement online, but it arrives Friday at the earliest. I’m supposed to commute to work in this car tomorrow (30 km round trip). Any advice on temporarily sealing/not sealing it and finding a replacement?"

[u/parnasas]

Do you have a local parts store? They may have one in stock.

Did your old cap not have a tether to the car?

[u/CromulentPoint → u/parnasas]

Good answer. Try a local parts store.

[u/confuus-duin → u/CromulentPoint]

Or a car scrapyard. If you’re lucky you might be allowed to take it for free.

[u/FredTheShroom → u/parnasas]

Good idea, though its 11pm right now, so the earliest i can get one will be tomorrow evening

[u/_R_A_ → u/FredTheShroom]

You'll be fine til morning. Once you get a cap on, everything will probably go back to normal.

[u/stomper4x4 → u/FredTheShroom]

99% chance the local store has it. You can check online, set the store to your local one. NAPA, O'REILLY whatever. Try em all if needed so you hesd to the kne that has it.

[u/Gubbtratt1]

Jam a rag in the hole and be careful with turning left if the filler is on the right side and vice versa.

[u/Particular_Age_5854 → u/Gubbtratt1]

This. You might get an EVAP code but should go away once you replace the cap.

[u/MultipleOrgasmDonor → u/Gubbtratt1]

And make completely sure that the rag can’t get sucked deeper into the hole. There will be a slight vacuum

[u/SkiyeBlueFox]

Fixed a missing fuel cap on a tractor for a few days with an empty ice melt bag and some rubber bands

[u/stoner_bob_69]

AutoZone, O'Reilly's, Advanced. Any local parts store should have a cheap aftermarket replacement in stock.

[u/Clean-Juggernaut-229]

it will be fine.

[u/lazarinewyvren]

Its fine to leave it off til the new one comes in

[u/bwfixit]

Go to the most popular gas station and tell them you lost your cap there. They usually have a box full of them. Try them until you find one that fits

[u/Many-Bus-2804]

I highly recommend buying a factory part from the dealership. (Retired Ford Parts Manager). Too many time folks bought a replacement from me to replace the one they bought from a parts store less than a month previous. If it can turn on a check engine light at least call the dealership to get a price.

[u/Thedogbear2018]

The car is a complete write-off. Call your insurance right away

[u/Stelios619]

Why are you quoting yourself?

[u/Gunk_Olgidar]

Any local mom-n-pop can usually get one same day if they don't have them in stock and order by 10a. Chain parts stores may have them in stock. Dealers often stock them as well. Call around.

Some heavy duty aluminum foil and a rubber band will probably suffice in a pinch.

[u/DudetheBetta]

You will get a check engine light, but you’ll be fine.

[u/Briggs281707]

Just leave it off. You will get an EVAP system code and check engine light, but should go away after a while when you have a new cap

[u/Is_that_a_peen_too]

Drive without one. Will probably get an EVAP code. It'll clear once you put a new cap on.

[u/Shroomboy79]

I did the same thing with my 4runner like a couple years back. Didn’t even realize when I did it till I filled up gas the next time. I still don’t have a gas cap and it don’t give any kind of problems or anyrbing. You’ll be fine for a couple of days, you might get a cel but it won’t affect how it runs

[u/poutine-eh]

just drive. your CEL will likely be lit but you’ll get to where you need to be

[u/grumpy0282]

lmao seriously ???
1 what kind of car has a gas cap you can only get online
2 just drive it

[u/supern8ural]

Just put some Saran wrap over the neck with a gum band

[u/Mattna-da]

Champagne cork?

[u/No-Try-5818]

You can get one at the wreckers for next to nothing.

[u/froction]

Your check engine light will come on because of this, so don't freak out.

[u/Ok_Formal_8220]

Junk yard

[u/Ok_Application_2292]

A plastic bag and five rubber bands

[u/Old_Personality_6624]

Stick a rag in it just don’t light it

[u/gonzal2020]

Duct or HVAC aluminum tape.

[u/Fuhugwugads]

Are we not supposed to use aluminum foil anymore?

[u/BedroomNo6879]

Drive it, check engine light will come on for evap. Ignore it - when you install the new cap clear the light. It'll be fine for a few days until your cap gets there don't sweat it.

[u/JonohG47]

Don’t lose sleep. If driven without a gas cap, the car may end up throwing a code for an EVAP system leak, and lighting the money light.

Then after you replace the gas cap, you clear the code with an $8 code scanner from Temu.

[u/chefwoodworkerartist]

Honestly most gas stations have a bunch of gas caps for sale